Wireless carriers around the world are offering are eSIM services, a new technology that brings convenience to mobile phone subscribers. eSIM stands for ’embedded sim’. It is a different kind of SIM card built into mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, and smart watches. An eSIM is basically a small chip inside your phone . It allows you to activate a mobile or cellular plan from your carrier or network without having to use a physical SIM card.
One of the key benefits of an eSIM is that it makes dual SIM functionality possible for devices without the need for two SIM cards. eSIM devices tend to have one regular SIM card slot (usually a nano SIM), and then an eSIM that is built in the device from factory. The eSIM serves as the second SIM card.
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Benefits of eSIM
- e-SIMs allow you have more than one phone number associated to your smart device. They particularly useful for people who want to manage personal and business lines.
- The possibility of losing or damaging your SIM is reduced because it is built into your device.
- You no longer have to deal with cutting SIM cards or finding adapters.
- It is extremely convenient for frequent travelers, making it easier to switch between network operators.
eSIM Supported Smartphones And Devices
Being a new technology, there are not a lot of eSIM phones in production yet. Apple, Samsung, and Google are leading the way though. As of July 2020, eSIM supported smartphones and tablets include devices like: Google Pixel 3, 3 XL, 4, 4 XL; Apple iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, XS, XS Max, XR, SE (2020); Samsung Galaxy Fold, S20, S20 Plus, S20 Ultra, Note 20.
Other smartphone brands offering eSIM include: Huawei, Lenovo, and Motorola. Other smartphone manufacturers will rollout eSIM devices out soon as well.
Rain South Africa eSIM
In South Africa, as far back as early 2019, Rain had announced testing eSIM services on its network with devices like Apple iPhone Xs and Xs Max. Vodacom and MTN were to later also introduce eSIM services in the country
T-Mobile Netherlands eSIM
T-Mobile Netherlands began providing eSIMs in late 2019. Supported devices include:
- Apple iPhone XR,
- Apple iPhone XS
- Apple iPhone XS Max.
The network also began experimenting with eSIM service on Apple Watch Cellular. Other Dutch mobile networks offering eSIM services include: Truphone, Ubigi, and Vodafone.
MTN Nigeria eSIM
In July 2020, MTN Nigeria announced the launch of its eSIM services. Supported devices on the network include:
- Google Pixel 3,
- Google 3 XL
- Google Pixel 4,
- Google 4 XL
- Apple iPhone 11,
- Apple 11 Pro,
- Apple 11 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone XS,
- Apple XS Max
- Apple iPhone XR
- Samsung Samsung S20
- Samsung Samsung S20 Ultra
eSIMs are available to both prepaid and postpaid lines on the MTN network. At this time, MTN is the only mobile network in Nigeria that offers eSIM services.
Vodafone India eSIM
In India, Vodafone has joined Airtel and reliance Jio in offering eSIM services. Supported devices include:
- Apple iPhone SE (2020)
- Apple iPhone 11
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro
- Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max
- Apple iPhone XS
- Apple iPhone XS Max
- Apple iPhone XR
Full List Of Wireless Carriers Providing eSIM Services In Different Countries
If you do a lot of traveling and own an eSIM devices, knowing which networks in what countries offer eSIM services can help you plan your trips better. Here is a list of countries around the world and carriers in those countries offering eSIM services.
Argentina
- Personal
Armenia
- Ucom
Australia
- Optus
- Telstra
- Truphone
- Vodafone
Austria
- Drei
- T-Mobile
Bahrain
- Batelco
- Viva
- Zain
Belarus
- A1
Belgium
- Ubigi
Brazil
- Claro
Cambodia
- Smart Axiata
Canada
- Bell
- Fido
- Freedom
- Koodo
- Lucky Mobile
- Rogers
- Telus
- Virgin
Chile
- Movistar
Colombia
- Movistar
Croatia
- Hrvatski Telekom
Czech Republic
- T-Mobile
- Vodafone
Denmark
- 3
Ecuador
- Movistar
Estonia
- Telia
Finland
- Telia
France
- Orange
- SFR
- Ubigi
Germany
- O2
- Telekom
- Truphone
- Vodafone
Greece
- Cosmote
Guam
- iConnect
- IT&E
Hong Kong
- 1O1O
- 3
- csl
- China Mobile Hong Kong
- SmarTone
- Truphone
Hungary
- Magyar Telekom
India
- Airtel
- Reliance Jio
- Vodafone
Italy
- TIM
Jordan
- Orange
- Umniah
- Zain
Kazakhstan
- Kcell
Kuwait
- Ooredoo
- Viva
- Zain
Latvia
- LMT
Lebanon
- Alfa
Luxembourg
- MTX Connect
- POST
- Ubigi
Malaysia
- Celcom
- Digi
- Maxis
- U Mobile
Mexico
- AT&T
Netherlands
- T-Mobile
- Truphone
- Ubigi
- Vodafone
New Zealand
- Spark
Nigeria
- MTN
Norway
- Telenor
- Telia
Oman
- Omantel
- Ooredoo
Philippines
- Globe
Poland
- Orange
- Truphone
Portugal
- MEO
- NOS
Qatar
- Ooredoo
- Vodafone
Romania
- Orange
Saudi Arabia
- Mobily
- STC
- Zain
Singapore
- M1
Slovakia
- Orange
South Africa
- Rain
- MTN
- Vodacom
Spain
- Movistar
- Orange
- Pepephone
- Truphone
- Vodafone
- Yoigo
Sri Lanka
- Dialog
Sweden
- 3
- Tele2
- Telenor
- Telia
Switzerland
- Salt
- Sunrise
- Swisscom
- Ubigi
Taiwan
- APT
- Chunghwa Telecom
- FarEasTone
- Taiwan Mobile
Thailand
- AIS
- dtac
- TrueMove H
United Arab Emirates
- du
- Etisalat
- Virgin Mobile
United Kingdom
- EE
- O2
- Truphone
- Ubigi
United States
- AT&T
- T-Mobile USA
- Truphone
- Ubigi
- Verizon Wireless
Vietnam
- Viettel
This list is regularly updated to keep it up-to-date as much as possible. If you know a wireless carrier that offers eSIM services but isn’t listed above, please use the comment section below to submit the details.